YOUNG reporters, who sold advertising space in their school newspaper, were able to help disadvantaged young people in Darlington.

Pupils at Longfield Academy produced the first issue of The Longfield Lion earlier this year.

They raised £155 which was presented to representatives of MIND. The donation will be used to produce promotional material for the charity’s Youth Project, which helps 11 to 18-year-olds with mental health issues.

MIND Youth Co-ordinator, Deaglan Porteous, said: “We’re really pleased and extremely grateful for this donation, and we want to thank the pupils and the school for the money which we will put to good use.”

The team of Year 9 and 10 pupils worked on the newspaper once a week during the school day, and continued in their own time to ensure that it was ready for print in May this year.

They had to employ some hard negotiation with main advertiser S G Petch, who then doubled their contribution when they heard the money was going to MIND.

School Librarian, Kath Martin, who co-ordinated the newspaper, said: “I am so proud of the newspaper team, they have worked so hard. They made a fantastic pitch to SG Petch to persuade them to advertise in our newspaper, the result of which means that they were able to make the donation to MIND.”

The next edition is being sponsored by Cummins Engines and advertising revenue raised will go to MacMillan Cancer Research.

MIND holds a drop-in session at the Dolphin Centre, Darlington, on the last Saturday of every month between 10.30am and 12.30pm.